The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter (LFA) has announced that Walk for Lupus Now will be held Saturday, September 10th at the Lake County Fairgrounds. In the past, the walk has been hosted in Hobart and Portage parks.
As the walk grows, the volunteer committee recognized the need for expanded facilities. “The new walk location offers paved walking paths, expanded parking and bathroom facilities and shelter from the weather,” said walk co-chair, Michelle Hurst. “We’ve seen an outpouring of support from the Crown Point community.” Last year, an estimated 750 participants braved rain showers throughout the non-profit’s annual walk without relief from the elements.
“Our committee has been meeting for months in Crown Point establishments and many of our new committee members are Crown Point residents,” said Hurst. “With its well known location as home of the Lake County Fair and easy access from I-65 and 231, the Lake County Fairgrounds is an ideal location for our event.”
With the help of record breaking attendance, the 2010 walk raised $50,000 to support the chapter. Proceeds from the annual walk will help increase lupus awareness and education, maintain support groups and support lupus research.
One, two and three mile routes will be offered in the non-competitive walk. Incentive prizes will be offered for fundraising.
There is no registration fee to participate in Walk for Lupus Now. Teams from businesses, schools, churches and civic organizations participate in the event. Past participants have included lupus patients and their families, parents with young children in wagons and strollers, high school students, college fraternities and church youth groups.
“Participants from across the state participate in Walk for Lupus Now Northwest Indiana,” said co-chair, Susan Colby. “When analyzing our reports, we realized that more than 20% of last year’s participants had a Crown Point address.” Last year’s largest team was lead by Crown Point High School student, Zoie Matthews. Team Matthews raised more than $10,000.
With the help of Crown Point High School Student and Walk for Lupus Now committee member, Anthony Flynn, Walk for Lupus Now is attracting many student teams from Northwest Indiana. Students can earn service hours by participating in the event.
Walkers are encouraged to register online through a link on www.LupusIndiana.org. Those without Internet service can call the chapter office at (800) 948-8806 to register over the phone or request a paper registration form. As guests of honor, pre-registered lupus patients will receive a t-shirts and special gift bag.
For more information about the Walk for Lupus Now event, to register a team or offer assistance as a volunteer, contact the chapter office at (800) 948-8806.
Approximately 1.5 million Americans have a form of lupus. More than 5 million people worldwide struggle with the health consequences of lupus. Inflammation is considered the primary feature of lupus. Lupus is a potentially fatal autoimmune disease capable of damaging virtually any part of the body, including the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. In its most severe form, lupus can cause disfiguring rashes and scarring, multiple miscarriages, kidney, heart and lung failure, impaired neurological function, strokes, heart attacks and death.
Despite its enormous public health implications, lupus remains a dangerously under-recognized and under-appreciated health issue. More than half of all people with lupus suffer four or more years and visit three or more doctors before being diagnosed with lupus. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases. There is an urgent need to educate patients and health care providers to achieve earlier and more accurate diagnoses. Improved management of lupus will reduce and prevent its adverse effects, particularly among those communities most severely affected.
Nine out of ten people with lupus are women. Eighty percent of new lupus cases are diagnosed among women ages 15 to 44.
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the nation's leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes and cure for lupus. Research, education, and patient services are at the heart of LFA's programs. The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter provides awareness and education for the signs and symptoms of lupus for early diagnosis and treatment. Support group meetings are free and provide lupus education as well as peer support.
For more information about the LFA, call (800) 948-8806 toll free or log on to www.LupusIndiana.org. LFA CEO, Jan Ferris, can be reached at (317) 225-4400 or jan@lupusindiana.org.